MENSCER, AFCO Up The game on custom drag racing shocks

The pursuit of conquering the challenges of track conditions by utilizing suspension has become a very sophisticated and precise art, and has greatly evolved since the early days of drag racing. As vehicle horsepower has increased, tire design, track preparation, and suspension components have advanced drastically over the years

Over time, shock and strut manufacturers have identified the proper valving and design to take full advantage of track surface composition. To further address the need for advancement, Afco Shocks and Menscer Motorsports partnered to develop a unique relationship that has led to new frontiers in shock design. Menscer utilizes a private labeled and designed Afco shock body to perform custom adjustments, dependent on the individual racing application. This collaboration results in highly competitive custom shock package.

Afco and Menscer-equipped rides are a staple at radial tire events around the country. Radial and small tire racing has become exceptionally popular over the past few years, with traction and track prep taken to a fine art. This practice of grooming gives way to superb track surfaces that have a tremendous amount of grip, and allows manufacturers the ability to optimize shocks for ideal launch and traction control, leading to outrageous 60-foot times and sub 3-second 1/8-mile passes.

In this story, we’ll be taking a look at the installation of a set of Menscer Motorsports shocks to the rear of our Dragzine Project Evil 8.5, and diving into the advantages of installing custom-designed shocks on a race car to provide it with unparalleled performance on the track.

Mark Menscer – Getting to Know the Man who Has Changed the Shock Tuning Game

It’s no secret that to be successful in racing, one must continually innovate to improve performance and is ultimately what is needed to turn on win lights. Sometimes innovation requires an out-of-the-box thinker to see things from a different perspective, and find new approaches to old problems. Armed with a background in circle-track racing, Mark Menscer has done just that, and his work with the high-powered, small-tire drag cars has them going down the track faster than ever before.

There’s no denying that small-tire drag racing has more than it’s share of challenges. With the ability to make as much horsepower as one could want, racers and crew chiefs test endlessly so they can get their cars to apply as much of it as possible to the relatively small 275 or 315mm tire required for various classes.

FIERCE FORD: LESTER COMBS’ 1964 ALL-MOTOR ULTRA STREET FAIRLANE

The chassis of the Fairlane was originally built by Drummond Race Cars out of Maryland, before Combs purchased the car. Pentagon Race Fab redid the entire front end of the car and removed over 140 pounds of weight, along with making some custom upper and lower control arms that work with the Menscer shocks and AFCO springs. The rear suspension uses all Calvert Racing Caltrac parts, including their amazing leaf springs paired with and a set of Menscer double-adjustable shocks to help keep the car planted and laying down great short times in the 1.14 range.

“KBX prefers Menscer shocks/struts on any new build or rebuild that comes out of our shop. The performances speak volumes and the track support is second to none. Mark, Craig, and John are always there when you need them. We have been 1.02 sixty ft. at 3260 pounds on a 275 radial!”

— KBX Performance

“Menscer Motorsports is hands down the best in the business. Their customer service is through the roof and I get treated great every time. This is what separates them from the rest. Menscer equipped for life!”

— Dakota Simon

“Awesome guys to deal with. Top notch products. Timely service even in the middle of the race season.”